Frequently asked questions
1. How do I get an IRC Library Card? (+)
For Jacobs University members (i.e. students, faculty, and staff) the Campus Card is also the IRC library card. All other persons can request an IRC Library Guest Card at the circulation desk against a deposit. To activate your library account, visit the circulation desk and fill out a New Patron form.
2. How do I find out if the IRC has a book? (+)
3. How do I check out and return items? (+)
You can borrow and return books at the circulation desk during opening hours.
4. How long can I keep books? (+)
Undergraduate students, community patrons, and alumni generally have a loan period of four weeks. Graduate students and faculty guests have a loan period of six weeks. Faculty and staff of Jacobs University have a loan period of fifteen weeks. Please see our website for more information and for exceptions.
5. How can I see what books I have checked out? How can I renew them? (+)
6. How do I recall a book that is checked out? (+)
Find the book in the library catalog and then click on the "Request" button at the top of the page. For more information on recalls and holds, please see the information on our website.
7. What if I lose a book? (+)
First of all, let us know immediately so you won't get any (additional) overdue fines for the book. With regard to replacing the book, you have two options:
- You purchase a replacement copy yourself and pay a reduced processing fee of 5 €. A used copy is perfectly acceptable, as long as it is the required edition and in excellent condition. Please get in touch with our acquisitions department (irc-acquisitions@jacobs-university.de) to make sure that you are buying the correct edition.
- The library orders a replacement copy. You will be billed for the cost of the book, plus an additional processing fee of 10 €.
1. How do I get material the IRC does not have? (+)
2. What is interlibrary loan and who can use ILL? (+)
Interlibrary loan obtains books, articles, and other materials that are not available in the IRC from other libraries. ILL service is available to students, faculty, and staff of Jacobs University Bremen.
3. What can be ordered using ILL? (+)
We can try to order almost anything using ILL. However, there are some things which are difficult to obtain. These include (but are not limited to):
- Rare items and older books (published before 1950);
- Very recent publications;
- Items which other institutions consider to be reference material;
- Items which are in poor condition; and
- Software and multimedia materials of all sorts, including DVDs.
4. Can my ILL articles be sent to me electronically? (+)
No, unfortunately German copyright regulations prohibit electronic delivery of articles to our patrons.
5. Can ILL items be renewed? (+)
Whether or not an ILL item is renewable is indicated on the yellow barcode slip in your ILL item. Even when an item is renewable, a renewal should be requested only when absolutely necessary and may be denied by the lending library. The renewal request should be sent via e-mail (irc-ill@jacobs-university.de) three to five working days before the item is due.
6. Why was my ILL request canceled or denied? (+)
There are several possibilities:
- The IRC already has the item in its collection;
- The item could not be obtained from another library (i.e. no library has the item, item is currently checked out or not available for loan); or
- The bibliographic information you entered was incorrect or incomplete and we received no response to our inquiries for further information from you.
1. Where can I make photocopies? (+)
Copy machines are located on the first and third levels. Black and white copies cost 0.04 € per page. Other options are also available. Copies can only be made with a Campus Card.
1. How do I arrange for a library workshop or tour? (+)
Please look at our website for a description of what we offer and currently scheduled workshops and tours. You can also always send us an e-mail request (irc-library@jacobs-university.de) for a personalized workshop or tour.
1. How do I get material the IRC does not have? (+)
2. Can I recommend books to the library for ordering? (+)
3. How do I check on the status of an ordered book? (+)
All books are visible in our library catalog as soon as they have been ordered. If the book is already available for use, information about its current location, call number, and status is displayed. If it has not yet arrived, you will see a "copy ordered" information instead.
You can also place a hold on the book by using the "request" button in the catalog: You will be notified by e-mail when the book is ready for you to pick up at the circulation desk.
1. Can I donate books to the library? (+)
We are happy to accept donations of all materials (e.g. books, DVDs) that fit into our collection. Check our donations information page for details on where and how to submit your donation.
1. How do I find an article on my topic? (+)
You can start by using the "articles" tab on the library homepage to find articles from several databases simultaneously. If you would like to search a specific database, you can use the Database Finder to locate and access this database. For more information, please visit our web page.
2. Can I access databases and e-journals when I am off-campus? (+)
Yes, use the VPN service provided by the IT department to use all our electronic resources as if on campus. There are two options for using VPN: the web-based WebVPN, and NetVPN for which you have to install a small tool (the VPN client) on your computer. We highly recommend to use NetVPN as it is much more reliable and works well with all our resources. You will find more information on the VPN service and a step-by-step installation guide on the IT support pages.
3. Where do I find newspapers? (+)
You will find the current print issues of some major German and international newspapers to which we have subscriptions in the library's coffee corner. Older issues of these newspapers can be found in the third floor stacks of the library. Additionally, we have online access to a vast collection of newspapers. Check our Journal Finder if you are looking for a particular one.
1. Where do I ask if I have a question? (+)
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